Increasing risk of human casualties
Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski, in an interview with Financial Times, highlighted the escalation of Russian hybrid actions against European states. He emphasised that the North Atlantic Alliance must be prepared for potential human losses.
According to the minister, there is a direct correlation between the number of recorded incidents and the likelihood that they will become fatal.
«Коли ми визнаємо, що росіяни зайшли занадто далеко? Адже це питання оцінки. Немає заздалегідь встановленого визначення» (When do we acknowledge that the Russians have gone too far? After all, it is a matter of assessment. There is no pre-established definition), Sikorski noted.
He added: «Якщо почнуть гинути люди, нам доведеться провести чергову дуже серйозну розмову в НАТО» (If people start dying, we will have to hold another very serious conversation in NATO).
Alliance response mechanisms
The politician refrained from providing specific details on how exactly NATO should respond to a hybrid attack that results in fatalities. However, he reminded of precedents for activating security mechanisms.
Sikorski underlined that Poland and Estonia had already initiated consultations under Article 4 of the North Atlantic Treaty. This provision provides for the discussion of a threat to the security of any member state among allies. The trigger for such consultations was the violation of airspace by Russian drones and military aircraft.
Calls to limit diplomatic presence
The minister also appealed to European partners to reduce the diplomatic representation of Russia. He noted that while there are no longer Russian consulates in Poland, they continue to operate in other countries.
«У мене вже не залишилося консульств, але в інших вони все ще є» (I no longer have any consulates, but in other countries they are still there), Sikorski explained.
In addition, he supported limiting the number of tourist visas issued to Russian citizens.
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